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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Down => Topic started by: Dale on Saturday 28 March 09 01:05 GMT (UK)
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Hi
I would be interested to learn if anyone has a family history of Huntingdon's Disease particularly Co Down maybe Newtownards/Donaghdee areas?
Death certificates might use such words as Chorea, Paralysis, trembling etc .
It is an hereditary disease and can affect both males & females. Those suffering from it may have died in an institution of some sort.
Huntingdon's Disease badly affected some branches of my extended family folllowing emigration from Ireland and may prove to be vital link in tracing the origins of the family.
As this is obviously a sensitive issue I am happy to receive Personal Messages.
Does anyone know of any Society or organisation dealing with the problem in Ireland?
Many thanks
Dale
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Dale, google lists current relevant societies in Ni and Rof I, also refers to articles eg Journal of Medical Genetics 1995;32:524-530; doi:10.1136/jmg.32.7.524
Copyright © 1995 by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
The epidemiology of Huntington's disease in Northern Ireland.
P J Morrison, W P Johnston and N C Nevin
Department of Medical Genetics, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast City Hospital, UK.
I would suggest a literature hunt has taken place by them
Then I noticed the spelling with and without a d, so hope i am not sending you on red herrings
Jim
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I would be very interested to hear from folk who have discovered ancestors/family with the HD gene particularly from around the Newtownards/Donaghadee area.
The Huntingdons Disease gene was not isolated until as recently as 1993 so death certs or family history might record such terms as Chorea, St Vitus Dance, Palsy etc Folk with the disease may have committed suicide, been institutionalised etc.
Early onset HD may have begun in the teens resulting in an early death or middle age resulting in a slow decline.
The gene can be passed on by an afflicted parent to a child of either sex.
As this may be a sensitive issue I'd prefer answers by Personal Message please.
Ultimately I hope to be able to identify some of my ancestors who were known to be from Newtownards & Donaghadee and other villages which have been misspelt beyond recognition!
Thanks
Dale
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